Appalachian Leadership Institute Fellowship Announcement
I'll be one of 40 fellows in the class of 2023-24
I’ve been holding some exciting news close to my chest recently.
The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) named me to participate in the 2023-2024 class of the Appalachian Leadership Institute, a free leadership and economic development training opportunity for individuals currently living and/or working in one of ARC’s 13 Appalachian states. The 2023-2024 class comprises a diverse network of professionals representing all 13 Appalachian states and a wide spectrum of perspectives and sectors, including tourism, healthcare, education, civil service, and more.
The nine-month curriculum is anchored by six multi-day seminars across the Appalachian region focusing on each of ARC’s strategic investment priorities, which aim to strengthen economic and community growth in Appalachia. I will be part of the fourth class, which will run from October 2023 through July 2024, focusing on skill-building seminars and best practice reviews to prepare fellows to:
Design effective economic development project proposals
Integrate community assets into long-term economic development strategies
Identify resources available to spark economic and community development
Locate and access investment capital from a variety of public and private sources
Prepare competitive applications for public grant opportunities
Use expanded connections and leadership skills to create strong regional partnerships
“Growing and supporting the next generation of Appalachian leaders is integral to the future success of our region,” said ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin. “I send my sincerest congratulations to the newest round of Appalachian Leadership Institute fellows, as well as my appreciation for all the work and passion they put into helping their communities thrive and compete.”
Appalachian Leadership Institute fellows were selected via a competitive application process to reflect the Appalachian region’s wide range of economic development challenges, opportunities, and strategies.
Upon completion of the program, I will become part of the Appalachian Leadership Institute Alumni Network, a peer-to-peer working group of experts helping foster collaborative solutions that will build a stronger future for Appalachia.
I’m so thrilled to be included among this year’s class. Just looking at the list of skills to be taught, I know I’ll be positioned to bring more value to my clients throughout Appalachia by this time next year.
More importantly, I’ve lived in northern Appalachia my entire life. This is my place in the world, and I’m so excited to become more equipped to make a difference as a result of the program.
To learn more about the program, visit: arc.gov/leadership. To meet the 2023-2024 class of fellows and learn more about how we are working to transform our Appalachian communities, visit this link.
More About the Appalachian Leadership Institute
The Appalachian Leadership Institute is a comprehensive regional leadership training program developed by the Appalachian Regional Commission in partnership with the University of Tennessee, Knoxville; The Howard H. Baker Center for Public Policy; Tuskegee University; and Collective Impact. Learn more at www.arc.gov/leadership.
About the Appalachian Regional Commission
The Appalachian Regional Commission is an economic development entity of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 423 counties across the Appalachian Region. ARC’s mission is to innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia to help the Region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation. Learn more at www.arc.gov.
About Cycle Forward
Cycle Forward was established in 2013 to help communities, trail professionals, and tourism advocates articulate and leverage the benefits of trails. As owner of Cycle Forward, I work with communities across North America on trail town development, placemaking, and accessing the outdoor recreation economy. Central to our work at Cycle Forward is thoughtfully integrating trails and communities with the goal of local resident benefit and healthier, more vibrant places.
Gratitude Notes
I’d like to express my most sincere gratitude to the three stellar people who wrote letters of recommendation in support of my application:
Jim Denova, former Vice President of the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation
Michael Dreisbach, Co-owner of Savage River Lodge (and ALI Class of 2020-21)
Kelly Pack, Senior Director of Trail Development, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
Your support, collaboration, and friendship over the years means so much to me. Thanks also to Pennsylvania’s most recent ALI fellows – Amanda Craig Bradley, Holly Pilcavage, and Todd Pousley – all of whom responded nearly right away when I inquired about the ALI experience. I could tell by their enthusiastic and helpful responses that this is the kind of community I want to be part of.